SOLVING a family’s space problems also yielded a major regional housing award for a North East builder.
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Walshe’s Alternative Living took out home of the year at the Housing Industry Association’s Murray River regional awards for a internal renovation in Bathumi.
Projects in Thurgoona, Wodonga, Yackandandah, Yarrawonga and Bundalong also won categories at the presentation, which was held in Mulwala on Friday.
Renovations don’t usually claim regional home of the year sections, but the judges praised the winner’s superb attention to detail and exceptional quality of workmanship.
Marcus and Anne Walshe formed Walshe’s Alternative Living 14 years ago and worked with Hargreaves Joinery on the Bathumi project.
Mrs Walshe said they overhauled a small galley-style kitchen about 15 years old to create more space for the owners’ large extended family.
"They really were finding it hard to cater for everyone with the kitchen that they put in their home initially," she said.
Now the open-plan kitchen has five separate working areas, including a butler’s pantry, walk-in pantry, breakfast bar and small and large island benches.
Among the project’s challenges were four original ceiling heights, the need to remove and replace structural walls, splicing into the existing merbau flooring and tight timelines that aimed to reduce the family’s inconvenience.
Mr and Mrs Walshe were excited to win the major Murray River award.
"It was actually a bit of a shock really, it was a very complex renovation but it wasn't an overly massive renovation," Mrs Walshe said.
Other winners -
Custom built homes: Up to $300,000 – Lockstar Homes, Mildura project; $300,001-$400,000 – Hadar Homes, Yarrawonga; Over $400,001 – Col Gowers Homes, Gol Gol; Custom built home of the year – Col Gowers Homes, Gol Gol.
Display homes: Up to $300,000 – Sapphire Sky Homes, The Meridian in Wodonga; $300,001-$400,000 – Hadar Homes, Dunedin in Thurgoona; Over $400,001 – Metricon Homes, Duxton 39 Isla in Thurgoona; Display home of the year – Hadar Homes, Dunedin in Thurgoona.
Renovation/addition: Walshe’s Alternative Living, Bathumi.
Project home: Excelcon Pty Ltd, Bundalong.
Small commercial: Lockstar Homes, Mildura.
Kitchens: New kitchen – LA Smith Kitchens & Furniture, Wodonga; Renovated kitchen – Flair Cabinets, Yackandandah; Kitchen of the year – LA Smith Kitchens & Furniture, Wodonga.
